Julie Witten-Land: Paintings with a Purpose

Julie Witten-Land, " Scrap Metal Painting," 2017

There is an opening reception on Saturday, August 12 to kick-off the exhibition.

Julie Witten-Land's new series of abstract work is titled Paintings with a Purpose and incorporates salvaged materials from a Mexican landfill.

After a trip to Mexico this year, Julie was shocked to discover the state of impoverished families living off a landfill outside of Puerta Vallarta. In order to survive and just barely scrape by, they must collect materials from the landfill to sell. Many families live in make-shift shelters with no doors - a safety concern that results in high rates of sexual assault.

After seeing this eye-opening experience firsthand, Julie decided that she wanted to use her artistic talent to help. Plastic shards, rusted metal, and wood salvaged from this landfill can be found hidden in the pieces she has painted. Fifty percent of proceeds from the sales of the paintings will go towards building a secure home for one of the families she met during her trip to Mexico.